The name Stepp is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Stepp was a name used for a person who "treads lightly" [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) or may refer "[to a person's] gait." [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Stepp Early Origins

The surname Stepp was first found in various counties and shires throughout England. Early records of the name were very scarce yet one source claims that John Stepsoft who was listed in 1260 as a probable ancestor. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) Many years later, William Steptoe was listed in the Hearth Tax Returns for Oxfordshire in 1665 and in 1674, John Steptoe was listed in the Hearth Tax Rolls for Suffolk. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) One branch of the family was established in Middlesex as Anthony Steptoe immigrated to America from there in 1676.

Stepp Spelling Variations

Stepp Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Stepp include Stepto, Steptoe, Steptow, Steptowe and others.

Stepp Early History

Stepp Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stepp research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1751, 1753, 1788 and 1802 are included under the topic Early Stepp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stepp Early Notables (pre 1700)

Stepp Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stepp Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Stepp were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Robert Stepp, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Cabell County, 1972 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

Marc Stepp, American Democrat politician, Member of Democratic National Committee from Michigan, 1979; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1980, 1984 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

Shirley, Evelyn Philip. Noble and Gentle Men of England Or Notes Touching The Arms and Descendants of the Ancient Knightley and Gentle Houses of England Arranged in their Respective Counties 3rd Edition. Westminster: John Bowyer Nichols and Sons, 1866. Print.

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The Stepp Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Stepp Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.